MRS.H.Mr.Dawker knows all that I know, and more.
HORNBLOWER.Does he? Very well! Your second note says that my daughter-in-law has lied to me.Well, I've brought her, and what ye've got to say--if it's not just a trick to see me again--ye'll say to her face.[He takes a step towards the window.]
MRS.H.Mr.Hornblower, you had better, decide that after hearing what it is--we shall be quite ready to repeat it in her presence;but we want to do as little harm as possible.
HORNBLOWER.[Stopping] Oh! ye do! Well, what lies have ye been hearin'? Or what have ye made up? You and Mr.Dawker? Of course ye know there's a law of libel and slander.I'm, not the man to stop at that.
MRS.H.[Calmly] Are you familiar with the law of divorce, Mr.
Hornblower?
HORNBLOWER.[Taken aback] No, I'm not.That is-----.
MRS.H.Well, you know that misconduct is required.And I suppose you've heard that cases are arranged.
HORNBLOWER.I know it's all very shocking--what about it?
MRS.H.When cases are arranged, Mr.Hornblower, the man who is to be divorced often visits an hotel with a strange woman.I am extremely sorry to say that your daughter-in-law, before her marriage, was in the habit of being employed as such a woman.
HORNBLOWER.Ye dreadful creature!
DAWKER.[Quickly] All proved, up to the hilt!
HORNBLOWER.I don't believe a word of it.Ye're lyin' to save your skins.How dare ye tell me such monstrosities? Dawker, I'll have ye in a criminal court.
DAWKER.Rats! You saw a gent with me yesterday? Well, he's employed her.
HORNBLOWER.A put-up job! Conspiracy!
MRS.H.Go and get your daughter-in-law.
HORNBLOWER.[With the first sensation of being in a net] It's a foul shame--a lying slander!
MRS.H.If so, it's easily disproved.Go and fetch her.
HORNBLOWER.[Seeing them unmoved] I will.I don't believe a word of it.
MRS.H.I hope you are right.
[HORNBLOWER goes out by the French window, DAWKER slips to the door Right, opens it, arid speaks to those within.MRS.
HILLCRIST stands moistening her lips, and passim her handkerchief over them.HORNBLOWER returns, preceding CHLOE, strung up to hardness and defiance.]
HORNBLOWER.Now then, let's have this impudent story torn to rags.
CHLOE.What story?
HORNBLOWER.That you, my dear, were a woman--it's too shockin--Idon't know how to tell ye----
CHLOE.Go on!
HORNBLOWER.Were a woman that went with men, to get them their divorce.
CHLOE.Who says that?
HORNBLOWER.That lady [Sneering] there, and her bull-terrier here.
CHLOE.[Facing MRS.HILLCRIST] That's a charitable thing to say, isn't it?
MRS.H.Is it true?
CHLOE.No.
HORNBLOWER.[Furiously] There! I'll have ye both on your knees to her!
DAWKER.[Opening the door, Right] Come in.
[The FIRST STRANGER comes in.CHLOE, with a visible effort, turns to face him.]
FIRST S.How do you do, Mrs.Vane?
CHLOE.I don't know you.
1
CHLOE.Who are you?
FIRST S.Come, ma'am, come! The Caster case.
CHLOE.I don't know you, I say.[To MRS.HILLCRIST] How can you be so vile?
FIRST S.Let me refresh your memory, ma'am.[Producing a notebook]
Just on three years ago; "Oct.3.To fee and expenses Mrs.Vane with Mr.C----, Hotel Beaulieu, Twenty pounds.Oct.10, Do., Twenty pounds." [To HORNBLOWER] Would you like to glance at this book, sir? You'll see they're genuine entries.
[HORNBLOWER makes a motion to do so, but checks himself and looks at CHLOE.]
CHLOE.[Hysterically] It's all lies--lies!
FIRST S.Come, ma'am, we wish you no harm.
CHLOE.Take me away.I won't be treated like this.
MRS.H.[In a low voice] Confess.
CHLOE.Lies!
HORNBLOWER.Were ye ever called Vane?
CHLOE.No, never.
[She makes a movement towards the window, but DAWKER is in the way, and she halts.FIRST S.[Opening the door, Right]
Henry.]
[The SECOND STRANGER comes in quickly.At sight of him CHLOEthrows up her hands, gasps, breaks down, stage Left, and stands covering her face with her hands.It is so complete a confession that HORNBLOWER stands staggered; and, taking out a coloured handkerchief, wipes his brow.]
DAWKER.Are you convinced?
HORNBLOWER.Take those men away.
DAWKER.If you're not satisfied, we can get other evidence; plenty.
HORNBLOWER.[Looking at CHLOE] That's enough.Take them out.
Leave me alone with her.
[DAWKER takes them out Right.MRS.HILLCRIST passes HORNBLOWERand goes out at the window.HORNBLOWER moves down a step or two towards CHLOE.]
HORNBLOWER.My God!
CHLOE.[With an outburst] Don't tell Charlie! Don't tell Charlie!
HORNBLOWER.Chearlie! So, that was your manner of life.
[CHLOE utters a moaning sound.]
So that's what ye got out of by marryin' into my family! Shame on ye, ye Godless thing!
CHLOE.Don't tell Charlie!
HORNBLOWER.And that's all ye can say for the wreck ye've wrought.
My family, my works, my future! How dared ye!
CHLOE.If you'd been me!----
HORNBLOWER.An' these Hillcrists.The skin game of it!
CHLOE.[Breathless] Father!
HORNBLOWER.Don't call me that, woman!
CHLOE.[Desperate] I'm going to have a child.
HORNBLOWER.God! Ye are!
CHLOE.Your grandchild.For the sake of it, do what these people want; and don't tell anyone--DON'T TELL CHARLIE!
HORNBLOWER.[Again wiping his forehead] A secret between us.Idon't know that I can keep it.It's horrible.Poor Chearlie!
CHLOE.[Suddenly fierce] You must keep it, you shall! I won't have him told.Don't make me desperate! I can be--I didn't live that life for nothing.
HORNBLOWER.[Staring at her resealed in a new light] Ay; ye look a strange, wild woman, as I see ye.And we thought the world of ye!
CHLOE.I love Charlie; I'm faithful to him.I can't live without him.You'll never forgive me, I know; but Charlie----! [Stretching out her hands.]
[HORNBLOWER makes a bewildered gesture with - his large hands.]
HORNBLOWER.I'm all at sea here.Go out to the car and wait for me.
[CHLOE passes him and goes out, Left.]
[Muttering to himself] So I'm down! Me enemies put their heels upon me head! Ah! but we'll see yet!
[He goes up to the window and beckons towards the Right.]
[MRS.HILLCRIST comes in.]
What d'ye want for this secret?